Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Jermain Defoe update as striker linked with dramatic return plus Northampton build-up

Sunderland defeated Plymouth Argyle in League One last Saturday.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Black Cats had previously gone seven games without a win but put three past Argyle to cement their play-off place.

Sunderland will now welcome Northampton Town to the Stadium of Light on Sunday in what will be their last league game before the play-offs begin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Key duo Charlie Wyke and Aiden McGeady both missed out at Plymouth Argyle with minor injury issues.

Jermain DefoeJermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe

McGeady has been suffering with swelling to the foot of late and also has a broken nose, while Wyke, who has not missed a league game in 2021, is managing a thigh issue.

But will they start against Northampton Town on Sunday or will Lee Johnson opt to rest both attackers before the play-offs get underway on May 18 and 19?

We’ll have the latest injury news, analysis and more from the Stadium of Light throughout the day.

Sunderland AFC transfer news (May 5)

Key Events

  • Sunderland take on Northampton Town in League One on Sunday
  • The Black Cats defeated Plymouth Argyle at Home Park last weekend

Everything you need to know ahead of the game

When is Sunderland vs Northampton Town?

The League One clash between Sunderland and Northampton Town will take place at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, May 9.

Kick off is scheduled for 12pm.

What are the odds for Sunderland vs Northampton Town?

Sunderland: 8/15

Draw: 14/5

Northampton Town: 4/1

All odds correct at the time of writing via Paddy Power. Over 18s only. Please gamble responsibly and Be Gamble Aware. www.begambleaware.org.

What channel is Sunderland vs Northampton Town on?

Unfortunately, the League One match between Sunderland and Northampton Town won’t be shown on television.

Unlike the Black Cats’ games against Peterborough United in League One and Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy final earlier this season, this fixture hasn’t been chosen to be broadcast.

Can I stream Sunderland vs Northampton Town online?

Yes, Sunderland’s game against Northampton Town will be streamed via SAFSEE.

Frankie Francis and Danny Collins will be live from the 30 minutes before kick-off, with the duo also providing post-match analysis and reaction.

New users can set up an account and pay £10 to view the game by clicking here.

Existing users with a season pass can view the game by following this link.

BBC Radio Newcastle also carries full match commentary with Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett and is available on the following frequencies: 95.4FM, 96FM, 103.7FM, 104.4FM and 1458AM.

The Sunderland Echo will also have full coverage from the Stadium of Light on our website, plus another Watch Party with our team of Sunderland fans.

The latest transfer gossip from around the web

Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich-linked striker stalling on new St Johnstone contract

Sunderland-linked striker Guy Melamed is stalling on signing a new deal at St Johnstone.

Boss Callum Davidson has conceded there’s a strong chance the Israeli will leave the Saints this summer.

Last month reports linked Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich with the forward.

Melamed has been offered ‘a very good contract’ to extend his stay at McDiarmid Park.

But Davidson admits the 28-year-old’s future is out of the Saints’ hands.

He told The Courier: “We’ve offered him a very good contract and his agent just wants to wait and see.

“That’s all we can do. We can’t offer money that’s not there for somebody. We have a budget, it’s been a difficult time with Covid and we’ve offered him a really good deal. The agent has said he’ll wait and see and that’s where we are.

“Obviously we can’t be paying out ridiculous money – that’s not what St Johnstone does and we can’t afford it. But there are other players out there that we’ll find and have a look at in case he doesn’t stay.

“Would we like him to stay? The answer is yes but we might be out priced. The fact he’s done so well has probably not helped our cause.

“He’s performed and scored goals at really important times this season. It’s a tough one. I knew when he came in that we might only get a year out of him.

“The one thing none of us knew the extent of was Covid. He didn’t get a pre-season and he missed a lot of football and it took him a long time to adapt to the Scottish league.

“I still think there’s more to come from Guy if he has a pre-season with us. It’s probably out of our hands at the moment.”

Sunderland could be set to add two new players to their under-23 ranks.

Northampton Town academy midfielder Tom Scott is reportedly set to join the Black Cats at the end of the season having been involved in some of the club’s recent Premier League 2 fixtures. Scott could again feature as Sunderland’s under-23 side head to Stoke City tonight.

And he may not be the only new addition to Elliott Dickman’s squad over the summer – with the Sun claiming that the Wearsiders want to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney.

Carney, who is currently on loan at Portadown, is also thought to be on the radar of Burnley ahead of his contract expiring this summer.

A number of Sunderland’s under-23 side see their contracts expire this summer, meaning Dickman could well be in the market for fresh recruits.

Lee Johnson has been discussing Ross Stewart’s encouraging showing at Plymouth

But would you hand the striker a start against Northampton on Sunday?

Rangers set for talks with Jermain Defoe - amid Sunderland return rumours

Jermain Defoe’s current contract at Rangers is set to expire this summer - and the Scotsman report that the striker is set for talks with Steven Gerrard over his future, amid rumours of a return to Wearside.

The 37-year-old scored for Rangers in their 4-1 win over Celtic at the weekend and is still a firm fan favourite on Wearside .

When quizzed on Defoe, Gerrard said:

It goes without saying that Jermain Defoe is someone I have the ultimate respect and admiration for.

He’s been a wonderful player. He’s had a wonderful career. To get him up here in the first place was something I was keen to do, because I knew he would help the group in the way he goes about his business. He’s a top professional.

We’re in talks with Jermain at the moment about what’s next for Jermain. But we want to be really respectful, we want to give him the time to make his own decisions.

I think he’s at a stage in his life where we’ll listen to Jermain and see what he wants to do moving forward.

Steven Gerrard

The play-off picture has become clearer...

The League One play-off picture became far clearer on Tuesday evening – as both Lincoln City and Blackpool played their games in hand.

While the Imps and Sunderland had already mathematically guaranteed their places in the top six, Blackpool required at least a point to secure their place in the play-offs.

And they got all three courtesy of a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, with Everton loanee Ellis Simms netting both goals in the comfortable triumph at Bloomfield Road.

That result lifts the Seasiders up to third in League One and above Sunderland – who avoided slipping further down the table after Lincoln City were beaten at Charlton Athletic.

The Addicks knew a victory was essential if they were to keep their own play-off hopes alive and goals from Jayden Stockley, Ryan Inniss and Chuks Aneke secured a 3-1 triumph.

Those results leave Blackpool in third on 77 points, Sunderland in fourth on 76 points and Lincoln City in fifth on 76 points – but with an inferior goal difference.

Karl Robinson is set for an FA hearing today

Oxford United manager Karl Robinson will put his case to the FA today – as he faces a second charge over the ‘tunnel-gate’ incident at Sunderland.

The Black Cats beat Oxford 3-1 on Good Friday, but the game was ultimately overshadowed by incidents in and around the tunnel area.

Robinson – who was sent to the stands by referee Trevor Kettle during the fixture and served a one-game ban and received a £1,000 fine following a subsequent charge – alleged after the game that a member of his playing staff had been head-butted at half-time during a feisty encounter at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland assistant head coach Jamie McAllister and Robinson, meanwhile, have been charged with breaches of FA Rule E3. The FA allege that the conduct of Robinson at full-time and of McAllister at half-time amounts to ‘improper and/or violent conduct.’

Both individuals had until Wednesday, April 28 to respond – with Robinson requesting a personal hearing, which will take place today (Wednesday, May 5).

Here’s what the Oxford boss had to say ahead of the hearing:

Fans could be back before we know it!

Northampton are looking to ‘put a marker down’ at Sunderland on Sunday

The Cobblers were relegated last weekend, but caretaker manager Jon Brady is looking to go out with a bang on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the game, he said:

For me it is very personal and it means so much. We have thrown so much at it and it will take a while to get over the disappointment but you have to pick yourself up and fight back. Our first challenge is to go to Sunderland and to put a marker down for next season to say this club never lies down

A must-read Q&A with Phil Smith!

That’s all, folks!

Thanks for following today’s live blog!